Reading+Homework


 * LIT241**
 * Instructor Hill**
 * Basic Homework Instructions**

Each week you will be assigned readings from the text. For each story, there is a gray-shaded area included in the pages assigned. This is introductory information about what is known of the originating culture, as well as literary commentary. It helps to read this information before the myth, as well as re-reading it afterward to be sure you were able to understand and locate key elements in the story. Keep in mind, again, that this is Rosenberg's analysis of the culture and story, which is not definitive. Often I will direct you to web sites or attached handouts for more information (and you are welcome to share information with me as well!).
 * General Instructions for Reading Assignments (Homework)**

At the end of each myth there are a series of "Questions for Response, Discussion and Analysis" which you will be required to answer. These are meant to range from short answer (two to three sentences) to short essay response (up to 300 words). The responses should clearly reflect critical analysis of the myth and its originating culture, and in some cases, provide a clear example of contemporary application and even personal response.
 * Questions for Response, Discussion, and Analysis**

The idea with completing such questions is to allow you the opportunity to show how well you understand the myth. Please, do yourself a favor, and do not start your response with anything even remotely resembling this line: "I’m not sure how to answer this question..." I know that some of you will read a story and think, "I didn’t get that at all! How am I supposed to answer these questions?" Through the process of answering the questions, you will further be exploring the story and attempting to "get it." Use these questions as an exercise in understanding. Often I will accept a variety of answers to a question, simply based on how a student may have interpreted the myth, so don’t think there is always and exact answer I am looking for in these responses.

And, yes, there is such a thing as an "incorrect" answer – or more likely, not quite right, but the only "wrong" answer is a non-existent one. That is, at least attempt to answer the questions through writing. I need to see effort to know what it is you do as well as don’t understand. Then we’ll go from there. No response will definitely earn no credit, but trying will often earn some if not full credit.

You will not always be required to answer every question, depending on the story. Some myths have 20+ questions, and as beneficial as it may be to go through each one, it is more work than I think is reasonable in our given time frame, both for you to write them and for me to read them all. Understand that I may ask you to choose your own, or I may assign certain numbers. Read assignments carefully for each story.

Answers are worth 2 pts each. Credit will be given based on thoroughness of response as well as basic English skills.

I request MLA format. Simplified, this is 1" margins (Word programs default at 1.25 – so please change this), name, teacher name, class designation, and date in upper left of paper (not as header, but as regular text). Single or double space doesn’t matter to me for homework, since I generally do not make extensive comments, although I do find it easier to read a 1.5 or double spaced writing – and you might also.
 * Document Format and Submission Guidelines**

Use the name of the story as the title for each homework assignment, placed on the left with other required information.

Rewrite the question on your homework before answering it.

The next page is a sample answer to a story question. Notice the format – include the number and the question itself. Pay attention to questions that are actually three or four combined questions. Be sure you answer each portion clearly. Also – go to the text for your answers. Use the story for support. Don’t just copy the story, but refer to it in your responses as a means of explaining why you are answering the way you are. This is the analysis portion of this as a literature class. = =
 * Example Answer to a Question from Rosenberg**

Casey Ketterman Instructor Hill LIT 241 12 January 2007 Beowulf

2. Does Beowulf live in a time of peace or war? Support your answer with details.

Beowulf lives in a time of war; the text offers a number of cues to support this. The beginning of the story speaks of kings and war: "when war came, their war-comrades were loyal and served them well in battle" and then goes on to define Hrothgar as one of "these mighty kings…fierce in war…he led a mighty band of warriors."

Beowulf’s own men are described as carrying gear such as "gleaming ring-meshed battle shirts; hard war-helmets with battle-ready boars, gold-glittering and stern; sharp-bladed battle swords, blood-hardened and shining." The detail of the swords being "blood-hardened" indicates that they have been used in battle, have been used to kill.

Upon Beowulf’s arrival to the Dane-land, he is met by a "coast-guard" who stands watch over the shores. This indicates there is need to be continually vigilant of others coming ashore. The guard is described as the "watchful warden" who carried an "ash-wood spear ready in his hand," and upon meeting Beowulf and his men ‘challenges’ them by asking their lineage.

A final indication of Beowulf’s living in a time of war comes at the end of the second chapter, after Grendel has been killed. Even though the monster is slain and is no longer a threat to the men, "they placed their hard war-helmets upon [the] benches. They set their shining linden-wood shields and their sharp-bladed swords, unsheathed, at their heads. And they placed their gleaming ring-meshed battle-shirts and their iron-tipped ash-wood spears at their sides. For it was their custom always to be ready for war." If the generation of Beowulf was in a time of peace, this habit would not be practiced. Even in our own culture, we still carry over evidence of being ready for war -- using selective service registration, maintaining branches of the armed service that are trained and ready to "serve" their country. The concept of a "time" of war or peace extends beyond a year or two. It means in the history of time, looking at the scope of Beowulf and his ancestors. The "time" then was indeed one of war.